Lyme Disease

Recently, an important development has emerged in the global health sector regarding Lyme disease, as pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Valneva reported more than 70% effectiveness in the final-stage trials of their experimental vaccine. This achievement comes at a time when cases of this disease are increasing in many parts of the world. This vaccine could open new possibilities for the prevention and control of Lyme disease in the future.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi.
It primarily affects the skin, nervous system, heart, and joints.

It is named after Lyme, Connecticut, where it was first identified in children in 1976.

The disease is most commonly found in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported annually in the United States. It is suspected that the actual number may be higher, as many cases go undiagnosed.

In India, several cases of Lyme disease have also been reported, with most cases emerging from the foothill regions of the Himalayas. During the monsoon season, increased vegetation supports the rapid growth and spread of ticks, which is why experts are expressing concern about its spread in India as well.

Transmission of Lyme Disease

The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Not all tick bites cause Lyme disease. Only deer ticks (also called black-legged ticks) can transmit the bacteria.

These ticks are commonly found in grassy, wooded, or bushy areas and can attach to the skin without being noticed.

Once the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can spread to different parts of the body and cause a wide range of symptoms.

Lyme disease does not spread from person to person or from pets to humans.
It is not transmitted through air, food, or water.
Lice, mosquitoes, fleas, and flies also do not spread this disease.

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease develops in stages, and the symptoms of each stage may overlap.

In many cases, it begins with a red circular rash at the site of the tick bite, often described as a “bull’s-eye” rash.

Other early symptoms include:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes

If left untreated, it can lead to severe arthritis and may damage the heart and nervous system.

Treatment of Lyme Disease

Most cases can be treated with antibiotics.

However, recovery may take time, especially in cases where the disease was not diagnosed in its early stages.

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PRISM-SG Portal

The PRISM-SG Portal (Portal for Rail Road Inspection and Stages Management – Steel Girders) is a digital platform launched by the Government of India with the objective of making the construction process of railway bridges (Road Over Bridges – ROBs) faster and more transparent.

The key highlights of this portal are as follows:

• Objective:
  To make the approval and inspection processes related to steel girders for Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) online and more efficient.
• Launch:
  It has been jointly launched by Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) and Ashwini Vaishnaw (Ministry of Railways).
• Key Features:
  • Digitization: The portal will digitize the entire bridge construction process, from approval to inspection.
  • Speed: It will significantly reduce the time required for approvals, ensuring timely completion of projects.
  • Transparency: It will simplify procedures and enhance transparency for all stakeholders.

Benefits:
This portal will be highly beneficial for projects involving steel girders, enabling faster execution of road-rail interface infrastructure projects.

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